Jersey's version of COBRA meet to discuss Coronavirus outbreak

Senior figures from Jersey's government will meet to discuss how to manage the threat of Coronavirus.

The Emergencies Council will review how the island can deal with a potential outbreak and assess how schools and businesses could be affected.

It will take place at the Royal Court building at 2pm.

It will follow a similar meeting in the UK where Ministers are expected to decide if the UK’s coronavirus response should move into the “delay” phase after the global outbreak was declared a pandemic.

Boris Johnson will chair a Cobra meeting at lunchtime where ministers are due to assess whether Government action should shift out of the containment stage.

Boris Johnson will chair a Cobra meeting at lunchtime where ministers are due to assess whether Government action should shift out of the containment stage. Credit: PA

Yesterday (11 March 2020) the second case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in Jersey taking the number of positive cases in the Channel Islands to three.

Briefings have been given to politicians and industry representatives over the past week, and the government says it will continue working alongside them to ensure the island is well prepared.

This also includes an online 'business continuity toolkit' to provide advice and support.

The meeting will be chaired by Jersey's Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondre.

It comes just a day after the World Health Organisation has declared Coronavirus a pandemic.

The meeting will be chaired by Jersey's Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondre. Credit: PA

Who is on the council?

  • The Chief Minister- Senator John Le Fondre

  • The Minister for Home Affairs - Connétable Len Norman

  • The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture - Senator Lyndon Farnham

  • The Minister for Infrastructure - Deputy Kevin Lewis

  • The Minister for Health and Social Services - Deputy Richard Renouf

  • A Connétable nominated by the Committee of Connétables

  • The Bailiff, the Lieutenant-Governor and the Attorney General are also entitled to attend and be heard at any meeting of the Council

Who leads the council?

The Chief Minister is the chairman of the Council.

What powers do they have?

  • The council can secure, regulate or prohibit the use of port

  • The council can secure, regulate or prohibit supply or distribution of food, the acquisition of food, the price at which food may be supplied

  • The Lieutenant-Governor can, after formal consultation with the Council, declare that a state of emergency exists

Who prepares emergency plans?

An officer has been appointed known as the “Emergency Planning Officer”.

They work with agencies and organisations to develop emergency plans and test responses in preparation for dealing with a major emergency.

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